Early flu already hospitalizes more Weld residents than last year

JOSHUA POLSON/jpolson@greeleytribune.com
Michelle McGehee urges her son, 7-year-old Talmage McGehee, to glance away from the incoming needle as he gets his flu shot Thursday morning at the Banner Health Clinic in west Greeley. The number of flu cases in Weld County has already exceeded last year's numbers.

» Get vaccinated — Health officials suggest visiting your pharmacy or care provider for a shot or nasal spray to protect against many strains of influenza.

» Wash hands with soap often.

» Cover your cough.

» Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes.

» If you contract influenza, see a doctor about antiviral drugs.

» If sick, stay home until 24 hours after your fever breaks.

» The Colorado HELP telephone line provides seasonal flu information in English and Spanish. Call (877) 462-2911.

When to see a doctor

» Fever over 101 degrees.

» Inability to keep fluids down or excessive vomiting.

Also, consulting a doctor is necessary for certain groups of people who easily develop flu-related health complications:

» Infants and young children under the age of 2 years.

» The elderly.

» People with pre-existing conditions such as asthma or diabetes.

— Recommendations from Kathy Smith-Stillson, community health manager at the Weld County Department of Public Health

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Less than halfway through the current flu season, the number of influenza cases in Weld County has already surpassed the total number of reports last year.

As of Thursday, 43 Weld County residents have been hospitalized due to influenza this season, which started on Oct. 7, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Last year, there were 35 hospitalized cases seen during the flu season, which runs through spring.

“Until we’re a fair way through the year, it’s difficult to predict whether it will be a mild or moderate year,” said Lisa Miller, epidemiologist with the state health department. “It looks like a moderate or potentially severe year.”

North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley has seen 38 hospitalized flu patients this season, up from three at this time last year, said John Breen, infectious disease physician at NCMC. It is double the 19 hospitalizations that NCMC treated in the entire 2012 season.

Statewide, 506 hospitalizations have occurred, according to a weekly report published by the state health department. This year, there have been two pediatric deaths due to the flu, both outside of Weld County. Adult deaths related to influenza are not recorded, Miller said.

“We’re calling it an early flu season,” said Jo Peden, epidemiologist at the Weld County Department of Public Health. She added that the number of cases won’t necessarily drop off after the early start.

February is usually the peak month of influenza activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Weld County officials discussed the current rate of influenza cases at a meeting on Wednesday.

“It’s hard to say how much higher it’ll go, but we’re certainly not calling it an alarm at this point,” said Eric Aakko, a spokesman for the county health department.

Health officials stress the importance of the flu vaccination for people of all ages.

“While the vaccine is not 100 percent, it will ameliorate it if you get the flu and have been vaccinated,” Breen said.

Vaccinations are in ample supply this year in Weld County, unlike some previous years when shortages were seen, according to Aakko.

The CDC releases one vaccine to the northern hemisphere each season to address both types of influenza. According to the CDC, the current vaccine fights 99.3 percent of Influenza A (H3N2) viruses, all Influenza A (H1N1) viruses and 68.7 percent of Influenza B viruses.

Peden clarified that, while the vaccination is effective for respiratory influenza, it will not address norovirus, or the stomach flu.

“Especially right now, I like to point that out because there’s also a lot of norovirus going around,” she said.

The vaccination is available in shot and nasal spray form and can be found at pharmacies and health clinics.